Boy bitten by dogs in stable condition
An 8-year-old boy who was mauled by three dogs was upgraded Monday to stable condition.
The Otis Orchards child was bit multiple times Friday, with injuries to the right side of his face, shoulder and both arms and legs, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Thornburg.
The boy reportedly was going to a neighbor’s home in the 4100 block of Kenney Road where there were two American Bulldogs and a Saint Bernard mix, Thornburg said. Frightened by the dogs, the boy turned around and walked toward the road, and was attacked.
The owner has agreed to have the dogs euthanized, Thornburg said.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
DUI emphasis nets 54 arrests
An effort to catch drunken drivers resulted in 54 arrests, and no alcohol-related fatalities over the Hoopfest weekend. A typical weekend nets about 25 arrests, said Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Mark Baker. The DUI emphasis began at 6 p.m. Friday and continued through early Sunday.
During the same weekend last year, 60 people were arrested, Baker said.
WSP and Spokane, Liberty Lake, Cheney and Washington State University police departments participated, Baker said.
WSP brought its specialized motor home known as the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit to downtown Spokane, the use of which allows officers to return to patrol 2 ½ hours sooner after a DUI arrest, Baker said. This year, 49 people were processed through the mobile unit, up from 30 in 2006.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Wellpinit, Wash.
Wellpinit schools get $200,000 grant
The Wellpinit School District was awarded more than $200,000 from the federal government to improve education for Native American children.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education, the school district, located on the Spokane Indian Reservation, will use the grant in collaboration with the Spokane Tribe to develop a preschool program and a college preparatory program.
The high school program will work toward improving graduation rates and student performance on college entrance exams, the press release said. About 92 percent of Wellpinit students are Indian.
The money was awarded under the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program. Wellpinit was awarded one of eight grants totaling $1.9 million given to schools in six states.
– Sara Leaming
Coeur d’Alene
Ironman ‘08 entry fills up after six days
The general entry for next year’s Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene has closed, just six days after it opened.
Race officials said Monday that shows the popularity of the triathlon, scheduled for June 22, 2008.
A limited number of Ironman Coeur d’Alene Community Fund spots are available after Monday. For more information, e-mail admin@nasports.com or check the www.nasports.com Web site for updates.
– Erica Curless